In This Issue: "Navigating thru the storm" – Renewal Day and AGM April 17 by Zoom — "Putting the Bite back in the Apple" by Ian Shaw — Renewal Cafe – Renewal Lives Online — "A Dangerous Precedent" – A joint statement from PSALT and RF — "The future is nothing like the past" by Andy Cornell — "Acting on a precedent" – 1998 Lachine rent-back offer might now go 'the other way' by Robin Ross … Read more
Month: March 2021
Putting The Bite Back Into The Apple
Sometimes it is mind-boggling to realize that just one year ago the word ‘pandemic’ evoked pleasant images of a happy evening playing a co-operative board game with family and friends. During this past 12 months many, many ordinary people have demonstrated admirable qualities of passion, perseverance and personal sacrifice as they have risen to the … Continue reading Putting The Bite Back Into The Apple
Small Group Prayer Guide
Spring 2021 Dear friends, It’s been more than 12 months since our world went into various stages of turmoil in response to a microscopic virus. Physically, we are on the defensive. But we are much more than flesh and blood. Spiritually, we are called to be on the offensive. There is much to pray for. … Continue reading Small Group Prayer Guide
The Future is Nothing Like the Past
A review of "Canoeing the Mountains - Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory" by Tod Bolsinger. Canoeing the Mountains Truth be told, I dismissed this book without reading a single page. It was a freebie, handed out at the PCC Pastor’s Conference back in 2019, which screamed “remainder bin.” And the title — way too cute. … Continue reading The Future is Nothing Like the Past
Acting on a Precedent
I am surprised that people are assuming that if their congregation leaves the PCC, they will either lose their building or have to buy it back. There is another alternative. At the 124th General Assembly, held in Windsor, Ontario, in 1998, a Special Committee dealt with appeals regarding the conduct of a Presbyterian College student who was a declared practicing homosexual conducting services at St. Andrew’s, Lachine ... Read more
Profile: Westminster Barrie
Our congregation began in 1962 in the gymnasium of a local public school. In 1964 we marched across a field to turn the soil at our new location in a nearby area of the city while singing “Onward Christian Soldiers.” Now an active group of about 400 people of all ages gather for weekly Sunday morning services ... Read more
The Next Big Thing
Anniversaries are a great opportunity to press pause and take stock. We look back and note how a watershed moment has changed our world. Sept. 11 is the big one. There’s also Nov. 22, if you’re old enough to remember. And now we have March 11, the day in 2020 when the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 global pandemic. One year later ... Read more
Knox Thedford Overture on Addictions
WHEREAS the COVID 19 pandemic has impacted every community across Canada, has dominated every newscast and has touched every congregation, every family, and every person WHEREAS the serious matter of drug addiction and the impacts of addiction have gone under reported across Canada and each community, WHEREAS border closures have impacted the flow of opioids … Continue reading Knox Thedford Overture on Addictions
Essex-Kent Overture re: Gracious Dismissal
To the Venerable, the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada: WHEREAS, the 144th General Assembly referred the matter of Gracious Dismissal to the Assembly Council (p. 36, 2018 AP); and WHEREAS, the Assembly Council’s terms of reference include the obligation to “assist the General Assembly in making responsible decisions by ensuring that both … Continue reading Essex-Kent Overture re: Gracious Dismissal
Essex-Kent Overture re: Restructuring the PCC
Background The following was written by Rev. Andy Cornell. Although the intent of the overture is to restructure the denomination along theological lies, it’s presented theologically neutral. In other words, it’s worded so as to appeal to those who might identify as evangelical/conservative/orthodox/traditional as well as those who identify as inclusive/liberal/progressive/affirming. It does give primacy … Continue reading Essex-Kent Overture re: Restructuring the PCC
St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s North Vancouver Overture re: Gracious Dismissal
WHEREAS, between 2015-2020 24 Overtures and Petitions have been made to General Assembly requesting, in general, that The Presbyterian Church in Canada permit congregations to leave the denomination with their property at nominal cost to the congregation if the denomination approves either a redefinition of marriage to include same sex couples or the ordination of … Continue reading St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s North Vancouver Overture re: Gracious Dismissal
St. Paul’s Simcoe Overture re: Virtual Assembly
Whereas the congregations and courts of the Presbyterian Church in Canada have been adapting to different forms of meeting since March 2020; and Whereas these forms have challenged our longstanding principle and practice of full participation by each member in the business of the courts (Book of Forms 4.4,4.3); and Whereas the Assembly Council has … Continue reading St. Paul’s Simcoe Overture re: Virtual Assembly
Knox Thedford Overture re: Separate Synods
WHEREAS the divisions within the Presbyterian Church in Canada have become more pronounced, and have both widened and deepened over the last decade; and WHEREAS the matters of disagreement include many aspects of faith and life, belief and practice; and WHEREAS by its own admission in a report received by General Assembly in 2019, there … Continue reading Knox Thedford Overture re: Separate Synods